Heaney and Morgan (1982) suggested "golden-spined gymnure" as an English name, but Poduschka and Poduschka (1985) argued that the stiff dorsal hairs are not always spiny and golden, and Corbet and Hill (1991:27) suggested "spiny moonrat" as a common name. Heaney and Morgan (1982) considered that generic rank might be justified for this species but decided to include it in Podogymnura in order to emphasize the close relationship between the two species of Philippine gymnures; see also Corbet (1988:130-131).